Roseblood

by Emily Shore

  “Where was the body found?”

  Dad’s eyes centered on me. “The body was found on the edge Raoul’s property.”

  I was there. History repeated itself. If it was history…

  “The Council plan to question him tonight. But there is something else equally important we need to discuss.”

  I didn’t know what to do with this pondering silence.

  After a few more moments of me internally tapping my foot, Heath slid my green tea mug onto the kitchen table, then drummed his fingers. He and Dad had brewed their nightly coffee.

  “Feel better?” Heath asked, eyes catching mine like warm molasses. Ugh, that bewitching stare could turn me to goo. Even if he didn’t have the ability to compel as Brian did when in wolf form.

  “Um…you tell me?” I responded with a half question, still hopeful, waiting for him or Dad. I wouldn’t be okay until I knew what was going on.

  Heath waved a hand as if he was performing a Jedi mind trick. “I absolve you, Rin.” I relaxed until he followed up with, “Did you seriously think I had no idea what was going on? That we didn’t?”

  My first desire was to punch his arm, but I’d learned that lesson long ago and clenched my fingers. “How?” I asked instead.

  “Mental shimmers.” Heath rubbed the back of his neck before slapping his hand to the table, defeated. “Prompted me enough to follow you.”

  “You followed me? How long?” I glanced at Dad, wondering how long he knew, but all he did was clear his throat and allowed Heath to lead the conversation.

  “First day. Sure, I wanted to rip his head off because I thought he’d corrupted my sister and you were sneaking off for more Chateau funny business.”

  “We weren’t―”

  “But then…” Heath held up a hand, interrupting, “I saw your wings. Your fire. And I overheard you and Skip discussing the night of the forest fire. So, I figured I’d watch from a distance. Found out about the mongrel’s part later.”

  My father tossed Heath a fervent glare at the debasing wolf term, causing my brother to cower. Then, he folded his hands. Forget Heath’s eyes. Dad’s were more like birds of prey.

  Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I squeezed my shoulders together, fought the urge to squirm.

  “Yes, Reina, I followed, too. First,” my father addressed me, eyes warming just a hint. “I am proud of you. You can be assured of that. Second, you and Stefan have formed a bridge of trust, an understandable one. But next time, please alert me so we can take extra precautions. Stefan is well-respected and skilled. But he is still a vampire and you a human.”

  Not so human it seems, I thought back to the silver lines in my palms.

  “You’re not going to punish me?” My shoulders lifted.

  My father shook his head. “Not this time. You are nearly eighteen. I’ve begun to give you a little leeway with your boundaries. It’s natural to stretch them, especially given everything you’ve been enduring. If you agree not to break them and to be aware that we are still protecting you even when you can’t see, then we will agree not to invade your privacy.”

  “Hopefully soon, you won’t need to protect me.” I demonstrated with igniting a miniature fireball in my hand. It was thrilling to watch Heath jump in his seat, startled as I twirled the ball into a swirl of flames. Like a miniature lightning crackle in my heart.

  My father smiled, setting his cold hand atop my other one, demonstrating his power to cease even the most masterful. Dad was an eraser. But only a physical one. He didn’t have any power over the mind.

  “Best not to set your mother’s drapes on fire,” he advised.

  “I made those drapes,” snorted Heath, nodding to the fabric mom had selected. Unlike Heath, Mom did not have a delicate hand.

  “Does Mom know?” My gaze wandered as if expecting her next.

  “I’ve discussed things with her,” Dad explained. “She isn’t aware of everything, but she is apprised of the situation and she knows we have it under control.”

  “Under control…” I licked my lips, contemplating. Only when I was with Skip did things feel under my control. But the nightmares, the prophecy, even my own family’s dynamics were out of my control. And if more abilities arose…how many could I have beyond these? One person at this table knew.

  “Do you know what I am?” I deadlocked his eyes.

  Heath answered first. “Pain in my ass?”

  I kicked him under the table, but he didn’t even flinch. If I didn’t have boots on, I wouldn’t have bothered.

  “Okay, okay.” Heath blew out an amused breath before tilting his head to the side. “I haven’t picked up anything in your subconscious.”

  “Fine. I was asking Dad.”

  Dad leaned closer, brows screwing down. Both our eyes in a tug of war as if he debated whether or not to share. I deserved to know. I needed to know. Dad was the only vampire in Le Couvente whose other ability was knowledge. Knowledge of powers. He could weed out any vampire’s ability, narrow the foundation power and other minor ones. And judging by his expression, he knew exactly what I was becoming.

  “Please…” I pleaded, opening my hand on the table, palm up, fingers yearning, heart yearning more.

  Sighing, Dad rubbed his eyes, but it wasn’t frustration creasing his brow. It was concern. He relented. “It seems fire is your most potent ability. But up until a moment ago when I touched you, I assumed it was the only one.” He arrested my hand again, eyes widening, lips parting. Alarm scribbled all over his features right before an astonished pride pressed his lips into a grin.

  “What?” I scratched my nails into the wood of the table and bit down on my tongue hard while waiting.

  After another agonizing minute with Dad’s hands swallowing my own and me hearing my heartbeat timed to his breathing, he finally looked up to conclude, “I am an eraser of powers. But Reina, you are the opposite. An ability so powerful, only one other was ever born with it. Trace it all the way back to ancient times.”

  My breath quickened. “You can’t mean…”

  “Yes, the father of all born vampires.” My father trapped me in his gaze once again before exhaling to announce, “You are a creator.”

  A creator.

  Once he’d revealed that I had more power in my human blood and body than thousands of vampires dreamed of collectively, that only the father of vampires himself boasted, there was only one response to such an overwhelming notion. I threw up.

  Now, I walked the tree-lined path outside our home. I was a human. This didn’t make sense. It was something for the history books. Something that predated the Dark Ages. The most powerful ability of all which descended from the very first vampire. If my father’s theory was true, it meant I had unlimited power. I could create any power. Both physically and psychologically. But how could something so powerful be…me? I couldn’t control any of this. I started a forest fire. How long until I did something worse? Did I have to worry now about hurting the ones I loved? Hurting myself? I didn’t want to think about it.

  But I needed to know if it was true.

  Tonight, I would test myself.

  First, heightened senses. I picked up on the sounds of the lake about a quarter of a mile into the woods. I narrowed my focus. Laser enhanced focus. Even from this distance, I could see a lullaby of fog hushing across its surface, hear the cicada symphony, the water lapping at the shore. All my instincts pulled me to the lake. I imagined stepping into vampire speed to reach it faster. No more than a heartbeat passed before the trees zoomed past me, becoming mere blurs of dark gray, wind whirling on each side, shooting past me. Overwhelmed, I forced my body to stop but not before crashing into the side of a redwood. I let out a yelp as the bark scraped my arm. But my hands scrambled all over my body, checking for anything else. Nothing broken. Too close to bruising. Creator or not, I was still human. Vampire speed was best practiced in open territory until my reflexes were honed enough for wooded territory.

  I tried to shake off the nea
r brush of death, reminding myself of my human frailty. Death and I were familiar with one another, but just at a fingertip’s level. I shouldn’t tempt it.

  At least I was closer to the water.

  This time, I envisioned wraith shadowing. Much safer than vampire speed. The silver in my hands burst to life right before they turned to shadows, the rest of me echoing. Cold enveloped me and I inhaled the sensation of turning to darkness. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The air and the night welcomed me into their embrace at a particle level. One with the darkness, I rejected the light and clung to the shadows, finding solace in each one. But my strength waned and it wasn’t long before I retained human form.

  But I wasn’t finished yet. There was something I always wanted to do. With the lake spread out before me like a silver raiment and swirling fog ghosts longing for it, I knew it was time. Running on water should be no chore for a creator. Removing my shoes, I mustered as much adrenaline and drive as I could, sensing my silver blood rousing.

  With the fog like thousands of wisps sighing across the water, I launched into vampire speed once more, slowing but not stopping. Not even when my feet slapped against the surface of the lake, fog corkscrewing around my calves. I kept going, electrified by the sensation of running across the water. It felt like cold snakes tickling the soles of my feet, the rest of my skin erupting with goose flesh. I could feel every single bump. I picked up speed once the opposite shore loomed through the fog. And with the wind barreling against me, turning my hair into whirling dervish’ skirts, I could almost imagine I was racing on clouds.

  Until I crashed right into the figure on the opposite bank, panicked that the hunter had caught up to me again. Caught off guard, I was more vulnerable than ever. I would not last.

  Chapter Seventeen

  A Creator’s Past

  “Reina.”

  I recognized the voice and felt my heart settle, return to regular rhythm as the silver blood returned to the deeper channels of my body. At least now I understood what else it did. Protection. Despite my shock from crashing into Raoul’s vampiric form, none of my bones had broken. Not one bruise. Still, Raoul felt the need to check, scanning my form.

  “I’m fine,” I held onto his arms, out of breath, my chest heaving. “Reina, you were―”

  “Oh, you noticed?” I teased, attempting to slow my breaths, deepen them.

  Raoul touched the sides of my arms, steadying me. “When did this happen?”

  “My imitation of sprinter Jesus or the rest?”

  Raoul’s grip tightened. Not overwhelming but enough pressure for me to register. “What rest?”

  “Remember those midnight excursions? Turns out it’s my wings taking me on a joyride.”

  “Wings…”

  It wasn’t exactly a question, but more of an echo of one. A hopeful one. I tried to gauge his expression, but it was difficult in the darkness.

  Instead, I decided to show him. Other than my family…and now Skip, I trusted Raoul most. Guilt gnawed at me. I should have told him long before tonight. Between chronic training, school and homework, meeting with the Queen, and my nightmare-induced, short-term holidays, it seemed there was never enough time. Tonight, I wanted him to know.

  When I released my wings, Raoul stepped back. Pleased by his expression, not shock but rather wonder, I smiled and did a 180 spin so he could view my back. Just as I had with Skip those weeks ago at the Chateau, Raoul lifted his hand, but he caught himself well before I had. And he caged his hand in his pocket to prevent himself from embarking further. Relieved, I curled my wings back against my body but didn’t quite retract them yet.

  “Have you grown your fangs?” Inquired Raoul. I appreciated the direct question, a curious one. Oh, he looked so sweet with his close stare, hands in his pockets betrayed concern.

  “No. I don’t think fangs are in the cards for me.”

  “No bloodlust?”

  “No.” It was a half lie. No human bloodlust. Lying to Raoul felt like swallowing vinegar.

  “Remarkable.”

  I smiled on one side of my mouth. Raoul had called me remarkable from the first day he’d met me thirteen years ago. The day he’d saved me from drowning.

  “So, vampire speed and wings…” he trailed off as if hoping I’d reveal more, but I could read his hesitance. He didn’t want to pry. I also knew he wouldn’t pressure me.

  At first, I considered not sharing. After all, I’d only learned I was a creator tonight. At the very least, I should tell Queen Caroline first. Part of me wondered why was Raoul asking all these questions, seeking information? No, I shouldn’t be suspicious. This was just Raoul. I reminded myself that he was always curious about my life. My second protector after my brothers. When I wanted to sneak away from Heath and Brian, they pretended to let me run, knowing I’d end up at Raoul’s. I smiled at the memories of Raoul welcoming me in for some hot cocoa. We watched old shows and Disney movies together because Heath and Brian never would. Raoul would take personality quizzes with me and ask me questions. Like he was tonight.

  “You know my father’s power.”

  “Yes.”

  “He sensed what I am tonight.”

  “And?”

  I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed out the revelation, “A creator.”

  When I opened my eyes, I was shocked to see Raoul staring right at me, wearing a proud smile. As if he always knew. He should be shocked.

  “Did you know?” How could he?

  “No.” Raoul smiled again. “But it doesn’t surprise me. You’ve been creating long before this.”

  My mouth fell open a little. What did he mean by that?

  “Reina…” Raoul pressed his lips together as if debating. “Mind if we take a brief detour? Just a few minutes?”

  Eager for whatever revelation he had in mind, I nodded.

  Within moments, Raoul had scooped me into his arms and traveled the mile or so to his house. Inside the guest bedroom upstairs is where he paused to set me down. And my jaw dropped. All over the walls were sketches. Most unfinished renderings. Some color, some black and white, some gray, some charcoal. Others were paintings. Oil, watercolor, acrylic. Scratch art. Even collages from random nature scraps.

  I gushed. “I’d forgotten all about them.”

  “You loved your parents library of course. But you also loved the art studio that came with this house when I purchased it,” Raoul reminded me. “As you know, my desires lean more to organic art outdoors.” Code word for gardening and landscaping. “But…” he smiled, tilting his head down, a little coy.

  Remembering why, I wandered to one of the walls and finished, “But you kept it for me. For the times I came here to get some space.”

  He never minded how much of a mess I made. “I love cleaning,” he’d assured my childhood self countless times. But when I turned fifteen, I entered Le Couvènte High. School became my new art studio. Not enough time on my hands for art outside school. And my family’s insistence on protection overruled my need for space. Even walks through the woods were monitored. So, the library became my new space; literature, my new hobby.

  Marveling at this gesture, I traced my fingers across an old picture of a dragon I’d sketched when I was ten. “You’ve kept all of them? Through all these years?”

  “I probably should have told you much sooner. My apologies. I only recently began organizing this room and found them all in an old trunk. You never asked and it went out of my mind for a few years.”

  “But you stored them away.” All my insides felt soft.

  “At the time, you didn’t want them. You were too hard on yourself.”

  I laughed at the notion. “I could never commit to anything.” I remember wanting to explore everything. But I didn’t have the attention span to stick with one thing. Perhaps if I was a prodigy. The only thing I was consistently good at was reading.

  And now, I was a creator, which still baffled me.

  Just like all these unfinish
ed works, my abilities were also unfinished. This time, I needed to commit to every single one. And never stop.

  Tonight, I didn't want to sleep. Instead, I called the Queen to give her an update.

  “So, your father finally discovered your remarkable ability…” she reflected, amusement clearly tinting her voice.

  I blew frustration through my nose. “How long have you known?”

  “Ever since I first met you. I’d already seen shimmers of your ability. But the moment I touched you was when I first understood how powerful you were. How gifted. It was one reason why I invited you to contact me at your leisure. I will always be here for you.”

  I could almost sense her playful smile, her steady countenance guiding me along even if she knew everything I would say or do.

  “You could have warned me.”

  “No. It was your father’s place. His honor to benefit you with the knowledge.”

  Yes, that was true.

  “Is there anything else you can tell me?”

  “Your powers will only grow. You must learn control, but do not lose your passion or what brings them to life. You have the makings of a great queen, but you will face countless assailants. And you will also face loss. I believe it’s time for you to file a blood claim.”

  A blood claim.

  That was…unexpected. Sure, it was common for parties to file a blood claim to the throne sooner than this. Only for females as they chose their kings. Once filed, it was logged into the blood registry, flagged for purity and noble rights. Every time, the media would be present to illicit a special announcement. Similar to a candidate announcing a campaign. But my lineage would do most of the work. And the prophecy. In the past, I’d barely paid attention, except when hearing news reports of riots, the races vying for territory and rights. I didn’t want to imagine what sort of riots would ensure at a human staking a claim. But Lady Caroline knew.